Gear Guide: Fly Reels Under $500

Redington i.D Reel

Redington i.D Reel

By Perry Mack

Redington i.D Reel

Looking at the i.D. reel, you see a sturdy cast aluminum construction, smooth rulon disc drag and a large arbor for fast line retrieval. The soft-touch, twin-molded, dual-density handle offers good grip and control. But the heavily promoted feature is the flat back, which allows you to customize your reel with 34 different decal options with graphics ranging from your favourite food to your favourite fish.

Three models are available weighing 5.7, 6.0 or 6.7 oz, holding 3/4, 5/6 or 7/8/9 corresponding line weights of 75/20, 100/20, 200/20.

Echo Bravo Seal Drag Fly Reel

Echo Bravo Seal Drag Fly Reel

Echo Bravo Seal Drag Fly Reel

At the time of writing, this reel was low on details as well as price. Echo introduced this new for 2018 reel at IFTD 2017. The extra-large arbor reel features their new saltwater-certified Pit Stop drag system, allowing tool-free access to the reel’s carbon fibre disc drag system, so “you can keep salt where it belongs: on the rim of a margarita glass”. Tool-free access also allows you to easily switch from left- to right- hand retrieve. While the sample reels and images from IFTD are machined aluminum, the production versions will be die-cast.

Pflueger Supreme QRS Fly Reel

Pflueger Supreme QRS Fly Reel

Pflueger Supreme QRS Fly Reel

QRS stands for “Quick Release Spool”, a fly reel that offers an interchangeable large arbor cassette spool featuring a unique line identification system. And that’s one reason it won Best Fly Reel at iCast 2017. The polycarbonate cassettes are secured in a spool carrier by an advanced locking system enclosed by a full stainless steel and 6061 alloy construction. Each reel comes with two large, and two medium arbor cassette cartridges that allow each model to accommodate up to four different line weights.

Four models with a 1.1:1 gear ratio available with reel sizes 2-12, weighing 5.6-10.30, fly line capacities of WF2+60 to WF12 + 275.

Sage Spectrum Max Fly Reels

Sage Spectrum Max Fly Reels

Sage Spectrum Max Fly Reels

This reel is the heavy-duty edition of the Spectrum line-up and features a super rigid frame-to-spool connection, a widened palming rim, a large/vented arbor for high retrieve rate, and their One Revolution Drag Knob with 40 detented drag settings for adjustable and repeatable drag resolution. It is engineered from machined 6061-T6 aluminum and finished with their Core Collection's unique porting pattern and spoke aesthetic. The corrosion resistance comes in the form of a hard anodized finish. It is conveniently designed with a quick-change spool mechanism and easy left- to right- hand retrieval conversion.

Ross Reels Evolution R

Ross Reels Evolution R

Ross Reels Evolution R

The shape of the ultra-large arbor spool forces the even winding of the line across the face of the spool in this lightweight, durable, rigid reel. The new drag is a fully sealed, 16 disc system of bonded fluorocarbon polymer and stainless steel that delivers smooth power with a wide range of brake adjustment, and some of the highest drag pressure in a fly reel. Control of this skeletal appearing reel is by the canvas phenolic handle and the frame-integrated drag knob, which provides a solid grip, and allows you to easily adjust the settings even while wearing gloves.

Available in four sizes for line weights of 3-8, weighing 4.34 – 4.48 oz, with arbors of 3.425’ x 0.975’ to 4.025’ x 0.975” (diameter x width) holding WF3+90 to WF8+160